Family Fun

Family

Play & Learning Activities

Central Indy Family Fun Guide

Central Indy has a lot to offer families, including museums, parks, events, and more. Whether you are looking for things to do on a rainy day or planning an action-packed staycation, we have outlined some of the great things our city (and state) has to offer.

Included in this Guide:

Featured: Fall events in your community
Local parks, playgrounds, and splash pads
Local museums
Day trip ideas
At-home activities

Around my community

Free, Indoor Playgrounds

Looking for a place to play inside? These free, indoor playgrounds are an awesome place to take your kids on a rainy (or sunny!) day.

The Park indoor playground at Trader’s Point Church
The Tree House indoor playground at Plainfield Christian Church
The Center at the Well indoor playground | Brownsburg
Cornerstone Lutheran Church | Fishers

Playground Hours

Exploring the outdoors

Outdoor Day Trips

Explore Indiana with these hiking trails & outdoor experiences around the state.

Clifty Falls State Park
Hoosier National Forest
Indiana Caverns
Marengo Cave
McCormick’s Creek State Park
The Adventure Hiking Trail | O’Bannon Woods State Park
Turkey Run | Shades State Park

Top Hiking Trails

Featured Resource

Nature Centers

Indiana is home to many nature centers and nature parks, including many of the state parks. Most of the centers have programs and activities to help children explore the environment around them and experience the natural world.

Local outdoor experiences for your family

Looking to get out and try new local experiences? Check out our Central Indy parks and splash pad bingo cards!

PDF Resource

Creek Stomping

Dip your toes in the water, skip rocks, and search for crawdads at our top creek stomping spots.

Download

PDF Resource

Signs of Fall Scavenger Hunt

Get outside and search the neighborhood or a local park for these signs of fall.

Download

PDF Resource

Playground Bingo

Looking for the best, most interesting park in Indy? Search no farther! Visit at different park each week with our Playground Bingo Card.

Download

Inclusive Playground Guide

Looking for a playground where children of all abilities can play in the same space? Indy’s Child lists local inclusive playgrounds where you can find equipment for all physical abilities and play experiences that meet a variety of needs and interests.

Indy's Child

Conner Prairie Inclusive Playground

Built in 2020, this playground adds to the awesome features and inclusive experiences already present at Connor Prairie.

Learn More

Westermeier Commons Park

Two specific areas for children ages 2-5 and 5-12, including wheelchair accessible features, non-traditional play structures, and a separate splash pad. 920 Central Park Dr. West, Carmel

Learn More

Freedom Trail Park

Both wheelchair and sensory friendly, Freedom Trail Park includes a sensory garden with over 2000 plants, as well as multiple interactive sensory elements - the first of it’s kind in the state of Indiana. 500 Deer Walk Trace, Westfield, IN

Learn More

“Everyone’s Playground” at River Heritage Park

Everyone’s Playground was specifically designed for inclusion and accessibility for children with various special needs. 11813 River Road, Carmel, IN

Learn More

Independence Park

Indiana’s first all-accessible playground, including a sensory area designed with specifically for children with Autism. 2100 S Morgantown Road, Greenwood, IN

Learn More

County Specific Resources

Exploring Hendricks County

Your guide to what is happening around Hendricks County. Check out more things to do, including events and restaurants at visithendrickscounty.com.

Featured Events

North Salem Old Fashion Days Parade | September 4 – 6, 2022 | North Salem
Heartland Apple Festival | October 1 – 2 & 8 – 9, 2022 | Beasley’s Orchard
Hendricks County International Festival | October 1, 2022 | Talon Stream Park

Things to Do

Beasley’s Orchard
Enchanted Fair Trail | Several locations around Hendricks County
Natural Valley Ranch, horseback riding
Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park
Splash Island Family Waterpark

Parks, Playgrounds, & Gardens

Arbuckle Acres Park, Brownsburg
Avon Gardens
Avon Town Hall Park
Ellis Park, Danville
Hummel Park, Plainfield
Washington Township Park, Avon
Williams Park, Brownsburg
W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park, Danville

Apple Orchard Guide

Indy With Kids guide to apple orchards near you!

Find an Orchard

County Specific Resources

Exploring Hamilton County

Your guide to what is happening around Hamilton County. Check out more things to do, including events and restaurants at visithamiltoncounty.com.

Featured Events

Sunflower Festival | September 3 – 5 & 9 – 11, 2022 | Stuckey Farm
St. George Festival | September 16 – 18, 2022, St. George Orthodox Christian Church
Atlanta New Earth Festival | September 24 – 25, 2022 | Main Street, Atlanta
Potter’s Bridge Fall Festival | October 1, 2022 | Potter’s Bridge Park

Things to Do

Birdies Mini Golf
Conner Prairie
Fishers Agripark
Morse & Geist Reservoirs
Mr. Muffin’s Trains
Nickel Plate District Amphitheater
Top Golf
Saxony Lake & Beach
Symphony on the Prairie

Parks, Playgrounds, & Gardens

Coxhall Children’s Gardens, Carmel
Cyntheanne Park, Fishers
Dr. James A. Dillon Park, Carmel
Finch Creek Park, Noblesville
Flat Fork Creek Park, Fishers
Forest Park, Noblesville
Founders Park, Carmel
Holland Park, Fishers
Lawrence W. Inlow Park, Carmel
Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve
Strawtown Koteewi Park, Noblesville
West Park, Carmel
Westermeier Commons Playground, Carmel

Featured Resource

Pumpkin Patch Guide

Check out Indy With Kid's 2022 best Indianapolis area pumpkin patches and farms.

Indy with Kids

County Specific Resources

Exploring Marion County

Your guide to what is happening around Marion County. Check out more things to do, including events and restaurants at visitindy.com.

Featured Events

French Market | September 10, 2022 | St. Joan of Arc Church
Indy Jazz Fest | September 15 – 19, 2022 | Garfield Park Center for Arts
Bates-Hendricks Street Fair | September 17, 2022 | Bates-Hendricks Neighborhood
Global Fest | September 19, 2022 | SoBro
Historic Irvington Halloween Festival | October 29, 2022 | Irvington Neighborhood
Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) | October 29, 2022 | Eiteljorg Museum

Things to Do

Museums

Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
Eiteljorg Museum
Indiana State Museum
Indiana State Police Museum
Indianapolis Zoo
Motor Speed Museum
NCAA Hall of Champions
Newfields, including the 100 Acres outdoor area
Rythem! Discovery Center

Family Attractions & Experiences

Belmont Beach
Canal Walk
Dallara IndyCar Factory
Duckpin Bowling, Fountain Square
Indianapolis Cultural Trail
Monon Trail
The Garage Food Hall
Trader’s Point Creamery
White River State Park & Gardens

Neighborhoods to Explore

Broad Ripple
Irvington
Fountain Square
Mass Ave.
Speedway

Parks, Playgrounds, & Gardens

Eagle Creek Park
Fort Harrison State Park
Garfield Park & Conservatory
Holliday Park
Indianapolis Colts Canal Playspace
Marrot Park
Opti-Park
Sandorf Park
Shawn Grove Park
Southeastway Park
Stout Field Park
Tarkington Park
Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park
Wildwood Park

Indiana Access Pass

The Indiana Access Pass is a great way for families who qualify to visit several of the best Indiana museums and cultural institutions for $2 per person.

Apply Online

Around my community

Spooky Excursions

Experience the thrills the chills this fall with these fun (and spooky!) family outings near you.

Harvest Nights | October 1 – 30, 2022 | Newfields
Headless Horseman | October 6 – 30, 2022 | Connor Prairie
Game Night Fright | October 12 – 30, 2022 | Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
McCloud Prairie Maze | September 3 – October 31, 2022 | McCloud Nature Park
Pumpkin Town | September 28 – October 30, 2022 | Allisonville Home and Garden by Sullivan

Around my community

Farmer’s Markets

A farmer’s market is more than a place to buy fruits and veggies. Try some of these play and learning activities while experiencing fresh, local produce.

Play and Learning Ideas

Dance to live music
Find a fruit or vegetable for every color of the rainbow
Allow child to pay and count change
Meet the farmers, ask questions about their harvest
Try new foods and talk about what you like and do not like

Featured Resource

2022 Farmers Market Guide

Your resource for the farmers markets in Hendricks, Hamilton, and Marion counties.

Family friendly at-home activities

Whether you are playing together as a family or searching for independent activities for your kiddos, combat those “I’m bored”‘s with these great hands-on play activities!

PDF Resource

8 Ways to Explore Pumpkins

Try these 8 non-traditional, hand-on play ideas with pumpkins!

Download

News & Stories

Game Night Ideas

Who doesn't love family game night? Our blog shares our favorite games and where to find them!

PDF Resource

LEGO Calendar

31 different LEGO activities for your preschool and school-age children.

Download

PDF Resource

60 Things to do with Toddlers

Toddlers have short attention spans, but are easily entertained. Check out these 60 simple activities to keep your toddlers busy.

Download

PDF Resource

Playdough Calendar

31 days of playdough, including things to add to make it more exciting. Fun for all ages!

Download

PDF Resource

25 Ways to Build with Blocks

Try changing up your building materials with 25 different ways to build blocks.

Download

Kids Eat Free

Kids eat free and at discounted prices at so many restaurants in Indianapolis and the surrounding areas. Check out Indy with Kid's list in the link below.

Participating Restaurants

Around the state

Family Friendly Day Trips

No need to pack your bags or make a hotel reservation. Here are our top kid-friendly day trips from central Indiana that offer plenty of family fun.

Wonder Lab Science Museum | Bloomington, IN
Wolf Park | Battle Ground, IN
Fort Wayne Zoo | Fort Wayne, IN
Indiana Dunes | Porter, IN
Muncie Children’s Museum | Muncie, IN
Tippecanoe Battlefield Park | West Lafayette, IN
Fort Wayne Firefighter’s Museum | Fort Wayne, IN
Science Center | Fort Wayne, IN
Terre Haute Children’s Museum | Terre Haute, IN
Wilstem Wildlife Park | Paoli, IN
Kidscommons | Columbus, IN

Central Indy Family Fun Guide

Included in this Guide:

Free, Indoor Playgrounds

Outdoor Day Trips

Nature Centers

Local outdoor experiences for your family

Creek Stomping

Signs of Fall Scavenger Hunt

Playground Bingo

Inclusive Playground Guide

Conner Prairie Inclusive Playground

Westermeier Commons Park

Freedom Trail Park

“Everyone’s Playground” at River Heritage Park

Independence Park

Exploring Hendricks County

Featured Events

Things to Do

Parks, Playgrounds, & Gardens

Apple Orchard Guide

Exploring Hamilton County

Featured Events

Things to Do

Parks, Playgrounds, & Gardens

Pumpkin Patch Guide

Exploring Marion County

Featured Events

Things to Do

Neighborhoods to Explore

Parks, Playgrounds, & Gardens

Indiana Access Pass

Spooky Excursions

Farmer’s Markets

Play and Learning Ideas

2022 Farmers Market Guide

Family friendly at-home activities

8 Ways to Explore Pumpkins

Game Night Ideas

LEGO Calendar

60 Things to do with Toddlers

Playdough Calendar

25 Ways to Build with Blocks

Kids Eat Free

Family Friendly Day Trips

Read more from about things going on in Indy!

Summer Camps and Care: Get Ready for Summer 2022!

Childhood has moved indoors – get them outside!

Bored kids? Explore board games!

Early care and education news to your inbox

What are you looking for?